Driver faces 21 counts in club crash

Truck driven into club building in Austintown

November 27, 2012

AUSTINTOWN - A Las Vegas truck driver accused of ramming his semi into the back of a local strip club this past weekend was being held at the Mahoning County Jail on $2.5 million bond Monday after being charged with 21 counts of attempted murder.

Suren Aramyan, 44, entered no plea on Monday in Mahoning County Court in Austintown on 21 charges of first-degree felony attempted murder, second-degree felonious assault, third-degree felony inducing panic, and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, driving a commercial vehicle while drunk, operating a vehicle in commission of a felony and refusing to submit to an OVI test.

According to reports, Aramyan hit the back of the Club 76 building about 1:30 a.m. Saturday after he was kicked out of the establishment, 5335 Seventy-Six Drive, just off state Route 46 in Austintown, damaging the structure and six vehicles in the parking lot.

According to police reports and court records, the club suffered an economic loss of $150,000 or more.

When reached by telephone on Monday a club representative said he expected the establishment, which had been closed since the incident, to reopen for business Monday evening.

Reports did not indicate that anyone was injured.

According to reports, Aramyan had been drinking alcohol at the club before being ordered to leave. Witnesses said he went to his semi truck, and drove through the back portion of the building. Two employees, one in the locker room and one in the kitchen, said they heard a boom then saw debris flying at them.

A woman in the locker room told police that several concrete blocks flew through the air, nearly striking her. A man in the kitchen reported that while Aramyan backed out, he threatened to kill everyone there.

According to reports, Aramyan backed up his truck, struck two vehicles and drove around the building, striking a street light post. He then hit four parked cars, reports said.

Witnesses said Aramyan stumbled out of the truck and pointed a gun at two men who went to check on him.

Officers arrived and saw Aramyan threatening to kill two dozen or so people outside the strip club. According to reports, officers used a stun gun on Aramyan after he struggled with officers.

Officers found a handgun loaded with blanks in Aramyan's truck.

Aramyan told police he was attacked by 10 people and that he sustained a head and ankle injury. However, officers noted there were no visible marks on Aramyan's head or ankles. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center. While at the hospital, Aramyan said he had told the people inside what he was planning to do.